11. February 2025
This Bible plan was created by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel.
Prayer of The Day:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and the safest place in my life. As I face challenges and opportunities, help me to trust in Your goodness and follow Your will. Strengthen me to resist temptation, turn back to You when I fall, and take responsibility for those around me.
Fill my heart with love, wisdom, and faithfulness so that I may live with purpose and bring blessing to others. Guide me each day to walk closely with You and fulfill the calling You have for me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your First Question
While first impressions are important, first questions can shape an entire conversation, trial, or even a life’s direction. When we look at Scripture, we see that the first questions asked in the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Bible itself all point to foundational truths about Jesus, God’s goodness, and our responsibility toward others.
Scriptural Foundations for First Questions
1. The First Question in the Psalms Is About Jesus
Read (Psalm 2:1–12):
• Key Message: The first question in the book of Psalms is about why people conspire and plot against God’s anointed one (Psalm 2:1-2). This psalm points directly to Jesus.
• Jesus’ Role: In Acts 13:32-33, Paul quotes this psalm, revealing that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, whom we are called to love and trust.
• Application: The safest place to be in life is close to Jesus. As we step into this year, let us find refuge in Him, knowing that true blessing comes from trusting in Him (Psalm 2:12).
2. The First Question in the New Testament Is About Jesus
Read (Matthew 2:1–18):
• Key Message: The first recorded question in the New Testament is asked by the Magi: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2).
• Jesus’ Fulfillment: 1. His birthplace—Bethlehem—was prophesied (Micah 5:2). 2. His exile in Egypt fulfilled God’s prophecy (Hosea 11:1). The tragic slaughter of children was foreseen by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:15).
• Application: Like the wise men, we are called to seek and worship Jesus. This year, let us make Jesus the center of our lives, bowing before Him and offering Him our all.
3. The First Question in the Bible Is About God’s Goodness
Read (Genesis 2:18–4:16):
• Key Message: The first question in the Bible comes from the serpent: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). It was designed to plant doubt about God’s goodness.
• The Fall of Humanity: Despite God’s abundant provision, Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation. Sin entered the world through a lie about God.
• Application: When faced with temptation, we must trust in God’s goodness and reject the lies of the enemy. This year, let us deepen our faith and refuse to question God’s love and wisdom.
4. The First Question God Asks in the Bible Is About You
Read (Genesis 3:9):
• Key Message: After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God. But God came looking for them and asked, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).
• God’s Pursuit: Even when we fall, God seeks us, desiring to restore our relationship with Him.
• Application: No matter how far we may have strayed, God calls us back. Let this be a year of returning to Him, embracing His grace and love.
5. The First Question Human Beings Ask Is About Responsibility
Read (Genesis 4:9):
• Key Message: Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). This was an attempt to avoid responsibility for his actions.
• God’s Answer: We are responsible for those around us. We cannot ignore suffering, injustice, or the needs of others.
• Application: This year, let us take responsibility for our families, communities, and the world, bringing God’s love and justice to those in need.
Overall Takeaway
The first questions in Scripture reveal deep spiritual truths: Jesus is at the center of God’s plan, God is good, He seeks us even when we fall, and we are responsible for others. As we step into this year, let us resolve to:
• Stay close to Jesus.
• Seek Him daily in worship.
• Trust in God’s goodness.
• Answer God’s call to return to Him.
• Take responsibility for those around us. Each day is an opportunity to renew our faith and grow in Christ. Let our first question each day be: “How can I draw closer to Jesus today?”
References
The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (commentary formerly known as Bible in One Year) ©Alpha International 2009. All Rights Reserved. Compilation of daily Bible readings © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 1988. Published by Hodder & Stoughton Limited as the Bible in One Year. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
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